Non-Farm Payrolls (NFP), explained.
The number of jobs added or lost in the US economy in the previous month, excluding farm workers, private household staff and some non-profit roles. It's released with the unemployment rate and average hourly earnings in the Employment Situation report.
Why it moves markets
Jobs and wage growth feed straight into how the Federal Reserve thinks about inflation and interest rates. A surprise against the consensus can change rate expectations within seconds, so the US dollar and US yields often move sharply. Revisions to earlier months can matter as much as the headline.
Who publishes it, and when
US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Monthly, usually the first Friday of the month, 8:30am New York time.
Pairs that often react
Pairs that include the currency involved usually react most. How much and in which direction depends on the surprise against expectations and on everything else going on. This isn't a prediction.
Educational only. Not advice and not a signal. Spreads often widen and prices can gap around big releases.